Pipe wrench



w. MELIN A PIPE WRENCH Filed Sept. 8, 1928 Jun 2,1931,

INVENTOR MfiZlz'am 77762222 @W P'CMZ A TTORNE YS 1 tailed description to follow.

Patented June 2, 1931 i S l ATEd VTILLIAM MELIN, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN PIPE WRENCH Application filed September 8, 1928. Serial No. 304,755.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved pipe wrench of the pivoting jaw type that is readily adj usted.

Second, to provide improved adjusting means whereby a broad contacting engagement is maintained for the adjusting means when the wrench is in operation.

Further objects will appear from the del The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment o1 my invention is illustrated in the accompan ing drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved wrench.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view with parts in section to more clearly illustrate the operating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the wrench in a gripping position on a pipe which is shown by dotted lines.

The parts of the drawings will be identified by their numerals of reference.

1 is the handle having a stationary jaw 101. 2 is the jaw guide member or cover secured by screws 21. 3 is the pivotal having a shank 31 with a projecting stop 32 thereon. The edge of the shank is serrated at 33. 4 is the toggle holding pawl made up of toggle parts ll and 4:2 with toggle joint 43 therebetween. Part ll is serrated at 4:5 to engage the serrations 33 on shank 31.

A spring 5 holds the pawl yieldingly in a contact with the sliding jaw being inserted in a kerf 51 in handle 1 with its free end pressserrated toggle part i into engagement with the serrated shank 31. 6 is the actuating lever secured to the pin 61 and having a flat cam member 62 to operate to release the pawl whichever way it is tipped.

It is clear that the toggle pawl is securely engaged by all its teeth against a corresponding number of teeth on the movable jaw shank. The pivoting of the movable jaw when the wrench operates is at the toggle joint. At the same time the spring yields enough to permit the pawl to be disengaged by the action of the disengaging cam.

My wrench is capable of considerable modi.

fication without departing from the broad features of invention. I desire, however, to claim the same in its specific form and also broadly as pointed out in the appended claims.

7 Having thus described my invention, what i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A pipe wrench, comprising a handle with fixed jaw at its end, a pivotal adjustable'j aw with shank having serrations on its inner edge, a socket shell for said shank secured to said handle, a toggle pawl comprising two members pivoted together by a toggle joint, one member pivoted to said handle and the other member serrated to engage the serrations of said shank, a blade spring disposed back of said pawl and secured in a kerf in said handle with its free end reacting to hold said serrated pawl member yieldingly in engagement with the shank, a pivoted flat cam in frontof said pawl with a trip lever to rock the same to release the pawl to adjust the wrench.

2. A pipe wrench, comprising a handle with fixedjaw at its end, a pivotal adjustable j aw with shank having serrations on its inner edge, a socket shell for said shank secured to said handle, a toggle pawl comprising two. members pivoted together by a toggle oint, one member pivoted to said handle and the other member serrated to engage the serrations of said shank, a spring disposed back of said pawl reacting to hold said serrated pawl member yieldingly in engagement with the shank, a pivoted flat cam in front of said pawl with a trip lever to rock the same to release the pawl to adjust the wrench.

3. A pipe wrench, comprising a handle with fixed jaw at its end, a pivotal adjustable jaw with shank having serrations on its inner edge, a socket shell for said shank secured to said handle, a toggle pawl comprising two members pivoted together by a toggle joint, one member pivoted to said handle and the other member serrated to engage the serrations of said shank, a blade spring disposed back of said pawl and secured in a kerf in said handle with its free end reacting to hold said serrated pawl mem ber yieldingly in engagement with the shank, and a cam in front of said pawl to release the pawl to adjust the wrench.

4. A pipe wrench, comprising a handle with fixed jaw at its end, a pivotal adjustable aw with shank having serrations on its inner edge, a socket shell for said shank secured to said handle, a toggle pawl comprising two members pivoted together by a toggle joint, one member pivoted to said handle and the other member serrated to engage the serrations of said shank, a spring disposed back of said pawl reacting to hold said serrated pawl member yieldingly in engagement with the shank, and a cam in front of said pawl to release the pawl to adjust the wrench.

5. A pipe wrench, comprising a handle with fixed jaw at its end, a pivotal adjustable aw with shank having serrations on its inner edge, a socket shell for said shank secured to said handle, a toggle pawl comprising two members pivoted together by a toggle joint, onemember pivoted to said handle and the other member serrated to engage the serrations of said shank, spring means to hold said pawl in engagement and means to release said pawl for adjustment.

6. A pipe wrench, comprising a handle with fixed jaw at its end, a pivotal adjustable jaw with shank having serrations on its inner edge, a socket shell for said shank secured to said handle, a toggle'pawl com prising two members pivoted together by a toggle joint, one member pivoted to said handle and the other member serrated to engage the serrations of said shank, and spring means to hold said pawl in engagement.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM MELIN. 

